The Australia–Japan Research Project is pleased to present its third publication, Japanese army operations in the South Pacific Area: New Britain and Papua campaigns, 1942–43. This book is a translation of sections of the Japanese official history (Senshi sôsho), covering the invasion of Rabaul, the battles along the Kokoda Trail and at Milne Bay, and the destruction of the Japanese forces at Buna, Gona and Giruwa in northern Papua.

Japanese army operations is published with the kind permission of the National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) in Tokyo, and was funded by the Australian War Memorial with generous support from the Japan Foundation.

Japanese army operations is available for sale to the general public for a recommended retail price of $24.95. It can be purchased from the bookshop of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and from the Memorial's online shop.

The AJRP is also providing an online version of the book, complete with detailed footnotes for the text, available for free download. Please note that the online version has a different layout and page numbers to the printed version because of the inclusion of detailed references. Please also be aware that this version of the translation replaces the previous version, which is still provided from the project's website here.

Japanese army operations in the South Pacific AreaNew Britain and Papua campaigns, 1942–43

Translated by Steven Bullard

Translator's introductionContentsIntroductionChapter 1: Offensive operations against Rabaul and surrounding strategic areasChapter 2: The advance to the Solomon Islands and eastern New GuineaChapter 3: Planning and cancellation of the United States – Australia blockade operationChapter 4: Commencement of the overland-route offensive on Port MoresbyChapter 5: Thrust through the Owen Stanley Range and the offensive operations at RabiChapter 6: Retreat to BunaChapter 7: Commencement of command of the 18th ArmyChapter 8: Withdrawal operations from the Buna AreaBibliographyArea and campaign maps

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The AJRP has wound up its activities at the Memorial for the moment.Please contact the relevant officer of the Australian War Memorial for assistance.Internet implementation byFulton Technologyand AJRP staff .Visit the Australian War Memorialhome page.